10 Things You Should Know About Compulsive Hoarding | Psych Central

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Many people might claim that, at least at one point in their lives, they could be classified as a "pack rat" or a "closet clutterer." However, compulsive hoarding is an anxiety disorder that involves much more than keeping extra papers and magazines around, or collecting CDs under your desk. Severe compulsive hoarding can interfere with a person's activities--such as cooking, cleaning, showering, and sleeping--because piles of newspapers or clothes are found in the sink, in the shower, on the bed, and in every corner of a home. There is more awareness of the issue today, due in part to the two reality TV series: "Hoarders" and "Hoarding: Buried Alive." However, there is still so much more educating that needs to be done regarding this issue. Here, then, are ten things you should know about hoarding. Much of the information was taken from the research of Gerald Nestadt, M.D., M.P.H and Jack Samuels, Ph.D. of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 1. Compulsive hoarding affects